If you’re looking to add extra visual appeal to your kitchen, why not consider two-toned cabinets? They add an additional layer of depth to your kitchen while making it look more spacious than it is. With more homeowners opting for this happening look, it’s time for you to get in on the trend as well!
Here are some reasons why this dual-toned aesthetic adds functionality and appeal to your kitchen.
1. It creates an illusion of space
In most urban apartments these days, space is at a premium and compact kitchens are fast becoming the norm. To make a small space appear larger, light colours are the way to go. By opting for white or a lighter shade on the top, the eye is drawn upwards, creating a visual illusion of a larger space. Lighter colours also reflect the light that comes in from the window, adding brightness and cheer to your space.
In this kitchen, the choice of glass cabinets above the counter helps to make space appear larger than it really is.
2. They add much-needed practicality
While a lighter palette is the optimal choice in a smaller space, using light hues is not always practical in a kitchen where spills and stains are all too likely. From the purely functional point of view, it makes sense to use dark colours below the countertop, which is the space that bears the brunt of the rough usage, and lighter colours in the upper cabinetry.
The fresh green and white kitchen in the image below is both practical and easy to clean. The spring green lower cabinets do not show up stains, while the white upper cabinets lighten and brighten the space.
3. Create Focal Point
Rather than having all the cabinets the same shade, which could end up looking monotonous and dreary, you can create a stunning visual impact by choosing to have a strong focal point—such as a bold colour that grabs eyeballs in between softer, more quiet colours. Dual-tone cabinets can make even plain, simple detailing feel like the last word in elegance.
Perfectly epitomizing this line of thinking, is this lovely white and yellow kitchen. Planned down to the finest detail, this kitchen packs the maximum functionality into a tiny space and manages to grab attention with the sunny yellow cabinets along the central axis.
4. Bring down the perceived height of the ceiling
In a kitchen that’s long and narrow, but has a high ceiling, using darker cabinets above will create a cozy, comfortable space that does not appear unduly tall. At the same time, they help highlight little quirks such as an unusual backsplash, fine architectural detailing, and clever storage.
In this Dark Phoenix Modular Kitchen, for example, the black cabinets in the loft connect with the tall unit and lower cabinetry, adding a sense of closeness to the cooking space. The upper cabinets, in deep wine red, offer a stunning contrast.
5. Adds texture and tone
When all the cabinetry is uniform, you do not have the option of playing around with textures. A kitchen that has matte cabinets could look dull, but one that is all high-gloss could look over-the-top. In two-toned kitchens, you could use matte or rough-grained finishes in the lower cabinetry, and create contrast with high gloss acrylic or metallic finishes in the upper cabinetry; creating balance and a nice interplay of textures.
Here, the juxtapositioning of light coloured rough-hewn oak cabinets against high gloss wine shutters offers an interesting visual. The open shelves above add to the solid-void balance and open up the spaces.
6. A great upgrade that adds value
Many homeowners who are looking for a quick upgrade might not have the budget to redo the entire cabinetry. In this case, you could consider refreshing just one set of cabinets, at a pocket-friendly price and a quicker time-to-completion, rather than a full-on refurbish. Two-tone cabinets work beautifully well in such circumstances, as by swapping out one set of cabinets you can create a whole new look that will add value to your home décor.
In the kitchen below, by redoing just one set of cabinetry it is possible to create a whole new look! Deep yellow combines with metallic steel for a bold combination that never fails to make a statement.
A dual-toned kitchen can transform your space and create visual harmony in your home. Looking for some more two-tone ideas and options? Visit the HomeLane experience centre and put together the look that’s just right for your family! We’re looking forward to connecting with you.
